Con presentazione di Luigi Mattiolo e prefazione di Marta Cartabia

The Vigoni Paper published below reproduces the lecture delivered by Professor Emeritus Sabino Cassese on the 18th of November 2025 at the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, which had the privilege of conferring an honorary doctorate upon the eminent jurist and constitutionalist. In his discourse, Prof. Cassese retraces and analyses the crucial stages and watershed moments which characterised 80 years of Italian republican history and which are to be considered part of the resulting cultural and institutional patrimony of the country and its people. Along with unprecedented democratic, social and civil progress, republican Italy witnessed political tensions as well as a crisis of values and of the means of communication that shape public opinion. The analysis of both positive and negative aspects of recent Italian history should lead not only to a greater awareness of problems and weaknesses, but also and most importantly to concrete actions. As Prof. Cassese claims in the conclusion, the starting point is a rethink of Universities and their role in society.